Bolivia's bug killers: Preventing the spread of Chagas

This bug spreads Chagas disease - endemic to Central and South America. There is treatment but it is not a vaccine. Once cured of an infection, a second can arrive the same day. The bug thrives in the straw and mud homes that are commonplace in rural areas. The disease may not take hold for up to 15 years after infection and can be fatal. Project Update - 18 Feb 2004

Haiti

MSF is starting medical intervention in hospital Port-au-Prince

MSF has identified three hospitals where volunteers may be able to provide support on an impartial basis. The intention of the collaboration with these hospitals is to enable the provision of free care for those who cannot pay. Project Update - 11 Feb 2004

Malaria

Malaria project

Registration of two artesunate-based combination therapies for use in endemic countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Drugs to reach patients by 2006. Project Update - 7 Feb 2004

Tuberculosis

Questioning health and human rights

In order to curb the spread of MDR-TB, many medical NGOs - including my own, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) - have become committed to WHO's program, which instructs that no patient should be treated unless you can expect an 80 percent rate of compliance from the population to which he or she belongs. Project Update - 2 Feb 2004

Mozambique

MSF supports Mozambique as the country confronts a cholera epidemic

MSF is also prepared to expand its intervention if requested. Other cholera cases have been declared in other provinces in the country. Press Release - 2 Feb 2004

Russia

Treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Russian prisons

Sir - Ben Aris highlights important shortfalls in the Russian public-health system and its devastating effect on health. Project Update - 20 Jan 2004

Liberia

MSF reopens abandoned hospital in eastern Liberia

Persistent health problems include malaria, respiratory tract infections, measles, anaemia, ulcers and complications during childbirth. Project Update - 19 Jan 2004

South Sudan

Tuberculosis treatment in complex emergencies

Treating tuberculosis in complex emergencies is an under-recognised priority. Although MSF's programme is small, it offers treatment to people who have previously been denied access to health care. Clearly, new ideas and strategies, based on core principles of tuberculosis treatment, need to be adapted to ensure that people living in unique and difficult settings, such as Sudan, have access to this life-saving care. Project Update - 29 Dec 2003

Nepal

Crisis in Nepal: Destruction before construction

For the last few months, Jono Lineen has been trying to set up one of MSF's health programmes in western Nepal, where the government and Maoist rebels are fighting a brutal civil war. Below he describes his struggle to negotiate with young revolutionaries bent on restructuring society. Project Update - 29 Dec 2003

Malaria

Amid the death, new hope

From education to vaccines, a drive to halt malaria takes off. This report concludes a Boston Globe series, begun on Jan. 26, on world health challenges and the solutions that are within reach. Project Update - 28 Dec 2003

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Independent medical humanitarian assistance

We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistic and administrative staff - most of them hired locally. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence and impartiality. We are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organisation.

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